Tottenham’s search for a new manager to lead their women's team came to an end on Friday when the club announced that Swedish coach Robert Vilahamn is set to take charge ahead of the 2023/24 season, having signed a two-year deal.
It’s been a turbulent year for the Lilywhites as former manager Rehanne Skinner was sacked in March following eight straight defeats. Spurs were toying with relegation and interim boss Vicky Jepson was just about able to steer them to safety with a ninth-placed finish, but only seven points off relegated Reading.
The club are now set to embark on the next phase of their period of transition, led by Vilahamn, who boasts a wealth of experience in his homeland of Sweden. The 40-year-old has spent the entirety of his career in the Nordic country, starting off as a player at FK Gothenburg at the tender age of 17.
By his mid-20s, the striker joined tier three team Ytterby IS and scored 27 goals in 22 games for the club. That season, Vilahamn was not only the top goalscorer in his own division, but he won the Swedish Golden Shoe, having scored more than any other player in Sweden across the top three leagues.
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Vilahamn took his first step into management in 2008 as he became a player-coach for Ytterby IS, where the coaching responsibilities were shared. He helped guide the team to back-to-back promotions.
He then had a spell as head coach of the under-19 team at Orgryte IS before he made the move to Qviding FIF, where he once again secured promotion in both his seasons in charge. By 2020, he joined tier-one team BK Hacken as an assistant coach for their men’s team and helped them qualify for the inaugural Europa Conference League.
Two years later, he was appointed head coach of BK Hacken’s women’s team, where he’s remained ever since. In his first season, he secured UEFA Women’s Champions League qualification with the team and reached the Swedish Cup final in both 2022 and 2023.
He signed a new long-term contract with the club only last month, set to see his reign run through until 2026. However, Spurs have acted quickly and the lure of a top English side, combined with the project at hand, proved to be too good of an opportunity to turn down for the Swede.
After completing the move to North London, he told Spurs’ club website: "It’s an honour to join this world-renowned football club and I’m truly motivated by both the challenge and the opportunity that comes with this role. The Club has a talented group of players and I look forward to leading this team in such an exciting project."
The club’s managing director, Andy Rogers, outlined what made Vilahamn the perfect fit: "Robert is an ambitious, dynamic and successful coach, and we are excited to welcome him to the Club ahead of the upcoming season. He has a track record of developing players to international level and competing for both domestic trophies and in the Champions League, demonstrating his ability to match our own ambitions and philosophy."
Outside of coaching, in 2016, Vilahamn launched his very own football academy in Uganda. Following the conclusion of his playing career, he set up his academy in the village of Kateera and brought over football boots, vests, cones and training clothes. He continues to donate money and provide resources to the hundreds of kids taking part in the sport.
